Its Darby Time as The Gunners Look to Shoot Down High Spirited Chelsea

  High flying Chelsea visit the emirates stadium on Saturday for a mid day kickoff against local rivals Arsenal. They have had a hectic schedule. Coming off a victory over Spanish and European heavy weights FC Barcelona in the first leg of the champion’s league semi finals. Chelsea will no doubt fancy their chances against the north London club. Arsenal has managed to win four of their last five games, suffering a shock defeat at home to Wigan ended their 6 game winning streak at home. They are currently 3^rd on the premier league standings, trailing second place Manchester city with 13 points. Chelsea has not had a good away from this season managing only a win in their last 5 away games in the domestic competition. Chelsea are currently 6^th in the league standings, trailing 4^th place Tottenham Hotspur  by two points ,Newcastle United are the surprise package of the season look to steal the last champions league spot from under their London clubs nose .

 The first fixture was played in the Stamford Bridge with arsenal achieving an impressive victory. Turning a 2 goal deficit and eventually wining 5 goals to 3. The flying Dutch man Robin Van Persi scored an impressive hat trick to give his side all 3 points

Arsenal Captain Robin Van Persi has been  Fantastic for the gunner this season so far 

The Netherlands international is currently top of the goals scorers chart with 27 goals scored in the league. That’s 3 more than frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Fernando Torres, and Didier Drogba efforts put together.

Van Persi has been subject to transfer speculation, as his current contract expires in 2013, and due to his current form many major European club will fancy their chances at signing the player. He was spotted visiting the Barcelona camp on Monday when the Spanish side was preparing for their champions league tie against Chelsea.

Chelsea have played 3 matches within a week, and the games have taken a toll on the aging squad .Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has dismissed suggestions that his team stand a better chance of winning due to this fact . Speaking to the press he had the following to say:

“I don’t believe that they will be tired at all,” he said. “You expect to be playing Chelsea at their best and you cannot expect them, with the players and numbers that they have, to be tired.

Probable Line ups and injuries

Arsenal is without midfield maestro Mikel Arteta, as former Everton player is out for the rest of the season following a dreaded ankle injury. Gunner’s youngster Jack Wilshere was due to be back after a long term absence but has failed to recover on time and so he remains sidelined. Francis Coquelin and Abou Diaby are both likely to make the bench after recovering from minor injuries.

Szczesny
   Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Santos 
Ramsey, Song, Rosicky
Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho

The gunners will look to use their strength on the flank, with quick passing and fluent movement, Chelsea will have a difficult time keeping up with Arsenals pace. They are extremely dangerous in the counter and are likely to catch the Chelsea back line off guard on several occasions. Look out for Theo Walcott and Ashley Cole s 100 meter foot race though out the game.

Chelsea will have to make without right back Branislave Ivanovic as player is out serving a 3 game suspension. The Serbian international is punished by the FA for violent misconduct against Wigan FC attacker Sean Maloney. Jose Bosingwa will be looking to make good impression on care taker manager Di Matteo as the Portuguese international has not been largely involved in the blues campaign this season. .Didiere Drogba is likely to be rested after playing a full  90 minutes in the midweek fixture, with the 50 million acquisition; Fernando Torres ready to make a rare start as the focal point of Chelsea’s attack.

Cech
Bosingwa, Cahill, Terry, Cole
Lampard, Essien
Ramires, Mata, Sturridge
Torres

Chelsea’s Spanish duo Juan Mata and Fernando Torres hold the key for Chelsea. Mata posses great creativity and will look to find Torres throughout the game. The arsenal defense will have torrid time keeping el ninio quiet. As his movement off the ball and quick feet has on many occasions has left opposition defenders bamboozled.

Final verdict

 Arsenal are a hard team beat at the emirates, taking Chelsea’s recent away form into consideration mixing it  with the recent games Chelsea have been involved with ,I’m gonna have to give this one to arsenal ,simply because they are the home team and have a better record against the blues .

    Arsenal                            Chelsea

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